My first trip in the United Kingdom in 2016 was to this tiny little town called Inverness on the Highlands of Scotland. This place really takes you by surprise by what it can offer you. I was lucky enough to experience the best of the place and its people. All the five days in Inverness was so different and unique from one another. I got to experience the sun, the rain, the sleet and the snow on the last day of my trip which was literally the icing on the cake. Travelling helps you realize and understand everything different from you and that contributes to your growth as a person. It surely did to me. I'm taking back so much from this place and its people. When I travel and meet people from different walks of life I not only experience a completely new culture but also learn new things about myself that I never knew existed in me. Inverness will always have a special place in my heart, for the love and affection of the people and the mind-boggling landscapes.
RIVER NESS
I happened to stay in a house by the river bank, its backyard light is seen reflected on the river in this photograph. After a long tiring journey from London, I thought I would retire to bed, but the serene sight of this river took all the tiredness away.
FORT WILLIAM
This place is known to be one of the wildest landscapes in Scotland. I took the first bus out from Inverness at 5:20 am for a two-hour travel to Fort William. The clouds looked gloomy which made me wonder if I would get any photographs at all.
I walked by the river that led me to the Glen Nevis visitors centre. A lady at the desk directed me to a spot with spectacular view at the top of Cow hill. The Cow hill trek was quite an experience, fighting the cold wind and the steep path.
CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD
The Culloden battle was the last hand-to-hand battle, between the Jacobites and the government in 1746. The battlefield now is a place of pilgrimage for people from Scotland and throughout the world. The history and the extensive area of empty land leaves you with a chill.
Far away is the Memorial Cairn
GLEN LIATH, INVERFARIGAIG
I was lucky to meet the Hope family, who were kind enough to take me around Inverness and show me the beautiful landscapes. The first time I experienced snowfall was here. The sleet didn't stop me from managing to photograph the vast landscapes covered with snow. Even with 8 layers of clothing on me, I couldn't feel neither my toes nor my fingers. Both I and my camera were cold, looking for some warmth.
There was a beautiful cafe right in the middle of the mountains called the Camerons. Just as a hot bowl of Scottish lentil soup was placed on the table, the sun peeped out a little. Of course, I was confused, if I should run out to catch the sun or to have the hot bowl of delicious soup. You can guess what I would have done. :P
After a lovely lunch at the cafe, we were off to the Foyers fall.
LOCHNESS
Very many years ago the earths crust fractured and moved which resulted in the formation of the Great Glen of which Lochness is a part. It is also the origin of the famous lochness monster. The day I was leaving for London I spent the evening watching the sun go down right in between the Great Glen. It was the perfect end to the perfect trip.
As a photographer, the photographs from my trip to Inverness were more than just capturing with the right exposure. Weathering out the extreme conditions to get my camera to see what I see was definitely a challenge.
The Highlands of Scotland is undoubtedly a must visit place. When you are there, you feel like you are at the end of the world and the people there make you feel alive.
More pictures to come.
Stay tuned and happy clicking. :)